UN mission welcomes declaration of peace by armed groups' leaders in South Sudan

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has welcomed the declaration of peace with the government of South Sudan announced by armed groups in South Sudan.

UNMISS says it stands ready to support the peaceful development, including with the demobilization of children associated with those armed groups, and assist the Government of South Sudan to achieve sustainable peace in the country

UNMISS also calls on all other armed groups to lay down their weapons and join the government to build a stable and prosperous South Sudan.

In a release issued on Friday, the South Sudan Liberation Army (SSLA), the South Sudan Democratic Army (SSDA) and the South Sudan Defense Forces (SSDF) stated that as of 26 April 2013, their forces "will start interacting with the SPLA army without any confrontation to bring peace to [the] country".

The statement added that militias have been ordered "to move to the areas controlled by the SPLA to achieve peace".